NFL 2026/2027 Preview: Predictions and Favourites

Of course, many eyes are on the US Open or the start of the Champions League. Or how about the incredible rugby clash between South Africa and New Zealand?

Meanwhile, the NFL 2026/2027 also kicks off this week, and that’s always a massive event. Especially as American football remains one of the biggest sports in the world. Oranje Palace tells you everything you need to know about the start of the new season. Who are the favourites? What can you bet on? And what can we expect?

When does the 2026 NFL season start?

The 2026/2027 NFL season officially kicks off on 9 September. The reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, kick off the season against the New England Patriots, giving us an immediate rematch of Super Bowl LX.

This is followed by eighteen weeks packed with exciting matches, during which each of the 32 teams plays seventeen matches and has one week off. After the eighteen matches, the top teams from the AFC and NFC qualify for the NFL Playoffs. The Wild Card Round, Divisional Round and Conference Championships then determine which two teams will ultimately face each other in Super Bowl LXI.

A look back at the 2025 NFL season

The Seattle Seahawks were crowned champions last season after defeating the New England Patriots 29–13 in Super Bowl LX. The team from the north-west of the US particularly impressed with their strong defence. Kenneth Walker III also played a key role, as the running back racked up 135 rushing yards and was named Super Bowl MVP.

However, the Seahawks were certainly not the only team to impress. The Patriots and the Denver Broncos both finished the regular season with 14 wins. The Los Angeles Rams also went far, but were knocked out 31–27 by the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. This most likely means that we can look forward to enjoying a number of strong teams again next season.

Which teams are favourites for the Super Bowl?

A new season brings new opportunities. It’s clear that the race for the Super Bowl LXI is wide open. Nevertheless, the Los Angeles Rams are seen as the main favourites. A victory for the Rams, for example, will earn you odds of 6.00 at Oranje Palace.

The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens are also frequently mentioned as contenders to go far. They are priced at 11.00 and 12.00 respectively. Furthermore, we mustn’t forget the reigning champions, the Seattle Seahawks, of course. Last season, they proved they have a team capable of performing under immense pressure. As a result, the title race promises to be particularly exciting once again. And yet it remains striking that the Seahawks are ‘only’ fourth in the list of favourites.

Players to watch out for in the 2026 NFL season

Of course, it’s fun to keep an eye on the top teams. But don’t overlook a number of players who will be leading their teams towards the championship. Josh Allen is considered one of the leading contenders for the MVP Award. However, he looks set to face stiff competition from quarterbacks such as Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes.

Reigning MVP Matthew Stafford is, of course, one of the contenders for the title of Most Valuable Player in the NFL. Apart from the quarterbacks, there are plenty of standout players, including running back Jahmyr Gibbs and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. Do you have a favourite yet?

Betting on the NFL at Oranje Palace

You can also bet on the NFL at Oranje Palace during the season. For example, you can place a pre-match bet on the winner of the Super Bowl. You can also easily bet on individual matches or players’ performances. Below are a number of popular options:

Moneyline

With a Moneyline bet, you simply predict which team will win the match. The margin of victory is irrelevant.

Point Spread

In a Point Spread bet, one team is given a virtual lead or deficit in advance. This allows
you to bet on the difference between the two teams.

Over/Under

In an Over/Under bet, you predict whether the total number of points will be over or under a predetermined figure.

Player Props

With Player Props, you bet on individual player performances. This includes bets on a specific player’s passing yards, rushing yards or touchdowns.

Outright Bets

Want to predict in advance who will win the Super Bowl? With outright bets, you can predict the winner of the Super Bowl, a conference, a division or the MVP Award.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has won the most NFL MVP Awards?

Peyton Manning holds the record with five NFL MVP Awards. He won the award four times as quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts and once with the Denver Broncos.

Which team has won the Super Bowl the most times?

The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers have won the Super Bowl six times, making them the most successful teams in NFL history.

Who won the Super Bowl last season?

The Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl LX. In February 2026, they beat the New England Patriots 29–13, securing their second Super Bowl title.

Who was named NFL MVP last season?

Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams won the NFL MVP Award for the 2025/2026 season. The quarterback finished just ahead of Drake Maye in the vote.

Who was named MVP of the most recent Super Bowl?

Kenneth Walker III was named MVP of Super Bowl LX. The Seattle running back racked up 135 rushing yards in the victory over New England.